'A score to settle with Oman'

Abu Dhabi: 'If there is a will, there is a way,' goes the saying and the UAE soccer team are only too aware of it as they look forward to the Gulf Cup final against Oman - the hosts first ever showing in the title-clash of the prestigious competition.

The coveted crown for the high-profile regional competition had eluded the UAE on three previous occasions, finishing runners-up as they did in 1986, 1988 and 1994.

"There are only 90 minutes that stand between us and achieving our dream of winning the Gulf Cup. It will surely be a difficult time, but we are ready to deal with it in a way that will guarantee the title for us," UAE libero said Rashid Abdul Rahman said yesterday.

"It's good to face Oman again. We have a score to settle and although we have respect for their capabilities, we have more confidence in ourselves and our capabilities and most importantly in our fans and their support.

"We have showed our team's improvement in the last match when the defenders committed two mistakes, but they were covered quickly by their other colleagues. We will not allow any more mistakes in the final match," Rashid confirmed.

Midfielder Subait Khater said dominating the midfield will be the key to winning the Gulf Cup.

"We have dominated the midfield against Oman in the opener, while they were content with defending. But when we lost the services of Hilal, the Omanis came forward and scored from where he used to operate.

"We have benefited from that loss and we are ready to enter the final match confident of ourselves and our loyal fans. And a team that can beat Saudi Arabia - the most successful team in the region in the last two decades - are capable of beating any other side," Khater said.

Hilal Saeed, the key UAE player who was sent off in the opener, said: "Mistakes are not allowed in the final match. We are so near to achieving our dream and we will not squander it. We had an excellent game against Saudi Arabia and I believe we'll do even better in final."

Midfielder, Khalid Darwish said: "The final is like the opening match in terms of pressure. We will use it in our favour."